The settlement of US$787.5 million ($1.17 billion) paid by Fox News to Dominion Voting Systems is the largest defamation settlement ever made public, and involved an admission that a news network that has consistently advertised itself as “fair and balanced” had disseminated groundless conspiracy theories.
But who is John Poulos, the Greek American CEO of Dominion Voting Systems that dared to stand up to the media giant?
Poulos, is currently a notable figure in the electoral process technology industry, having founded Dominion Voting, a company dedicated to revolutionising voting through the use of technology. Dominion now operates in approximately 150 municipalities and has provided technology in 1,000 counties across 35 states in the United States.
In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, he stated that the settlement agreement between his company and Fox News should serve as a warning for other media companies that may spread falsehoods.
He believes that” if media companies knowingly lie, regardless of their channel, they will be held accountable for their actions”.
The lawsuit, which had sought US$1.6 billion in damages, accused Fox News of recklessly airing false election claims and conspiracy theories in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. Poulos believes that the settlement provided accountability from Fox, but the effect on his company has been “devastating” and stated that “truth matters” and “lies have consequences” during a press conference announcing the settlement.
Poulos has also expanded his company’s reach globally, offering a comprehensive suite of technology-enabled equipment and services for all aspects of elections, from voter registration to remote voting. He co-founded the Delian Project, a non-profit organization that leverages automated voting technology to promote transparency and inclusivity in post-conflict and emerging democracies.
Poulos has been recognised for his accomplishments, including being selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 and receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for his philanthropic work. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Master’s of Business Administration from INSEAD.
Beyond his work in the technology industry, Poulos is a dedicated youth hockey coach and mentor to aspiring business students. He is also an active member of YPO and part of an alliance of Greek-Canadian entrepreneurs united in their mission to preserve their heritage.
